Dipylon pitcher & cup

Greek

British Museum

1100 BC-660 AD

These vases belong to the later stage of geometric pottery, in which figure subjects are shown in combination with maeanders, chequers and other strictly geometric decorations. 1) Pitcher with lid - in the centre is a large object covered with a chequer pattern, possibly a table, an altar or perhaps a tomb. At each end of the large object is a seated figure holding an object in each hand. The action suggests spinning, but there is no clear indication that this was the artist's intention; 2) A cup with one handle - At each end of the maeander is a square panel, one portraying a long-horned Cretan goat, the other, two Cretan goats rearing, often found in Mycenaean art.

• Medium: pottery
• ArtFunded in: 1915
• Presented by Sir Henry H Howorth through The Art Fund

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